Mobile terminal and image control method thereof

ABSTRACT

A mobile terminal including a wireless communication unit configured to connect to the Internet to receive a Web page, a display unit configured to display the Web page, and a controller configured to receive an input signal corresponding to a selection of at least one image included in the displayed Web page, to hide or un-hide the selected at least one image, and to reconfigure and display the reconfigured Web page such that an image region where the selected at least one image is located is reduced and other regions of the Web page are increased when the selected at least one image is hid.

CROSS REFERENCE TO A RELATED APPLICATION

The present application claims priority to Korean Application No.10-2008-0074278 filed in Korea on Jul. 29, 2008, the entire contents ofwhich is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a mobile terminal and correspondingmethod for selectively controlling an image of a Web page displayed onthe mobile terminal.

2. Description of the Related Art

A mobile terminal is a device which may be configured to perform variousfunctions. Examples of such functions include data and voicecommunications, capturing images and video via a camera, recordingaudio, playing music files via a speaker system, and displaying imagesand video on a display. Some terminals include additional functionalitywhich supports game playing, while other terminals are configured asmultimedia players. More recently, mobile terminals have been configuredto receive broadcast and multicast signals which permit viewing ofcontent such as videos and television programs.

Efforts are ongoing to support and increase the functionality of mobileterminals. Such efforts include software and hardware improvements, aswell as changes and improvements in the structural components which formthe mobile terminal. Mobile terminal users can also access the Internetto view different information. For example, a user can access aparticular webpage to read the news or sporting events, to search for aparticular item, to get directions, etc.

However, the mobile terminal is generally small in size, and thus theinformation displayed on the webpage is sometimes difficult to read,which inconveniences the user.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Accordingly, one object of the present invention is to address theabove-noted and other problems.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a mobile terminaland corresponding method for selectively controlling an image of a Webpage.

Still another object of the present invention is to provide a mobileterminal and corresponding method for changing an image display mode ofa Web page according to a placed state or orientation of the mobileterminal.

Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a mobileterminal and corresponding method for releasing a concealment settingwhen a proximity touch is detected over an image set for concealment.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a mobile terminaland corresponding method for providing information about aconcealment-set image when a proximity touch is detected over theconcealment set image.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a mobile terminaland corresponding method for outputting a vibration according to a typeof a concealment-set image when a proximity touch is detected over theconcealment-set image.

To achieve these and other advantages and in accordance with the purposeof the present invention, as embodied and broadly described herein, thepresent invention provides in one aspect a mobile terminal including awireless communication unit for connecting to the Internet to receive aWeb page, a display unit for displaying the Web page, and a controllerfor setting a display mode of at least one selected from images includedin the Web page displayed on the display unit, controlling thecorresponding image according to the set display mode information, andreconfiguring the Web page by adjusting a region where text informationis displayed. Further, the display mode may include a hide-all-imagemode, a hide-image mode, a view-in-sub LCD mode, and amagnification/reduction mode.

To achieve these and other advantages and in accordance with the purposeof the present invention, as embodied and broadly described herein, thepresent invention provides in another aspect an image control method ofa mobile terminal including displaying a Web page received on theInternet, selecting at least one of images of the displayed Web page,setting a display mode of the selected image, and controlling theselected image according to the set display mode and reconfiguring theWeb page by adjusting a region where text information is displayed.

In another aspect, the present invention provides a mobile terminalincluding a wireless communication unit configured to connect to theInternet to receive a Web page, a display unit configured to display theWeb page, and a controller configured to receive an input signalcorresponding to a selection of at least one image included in thedisplayed Web page, to hide or un-hide the selected at least one image,and to reconfigure and display the reconfigured Web page such that animage region where the selected at least one image is located is reducedand other regions of the Web page are increased when the selected atleast one image is hid.

In still another aspect, the present invention provides a method ofcontrolling a mobile terminal, and which includes connecting to theInternet and receiving a Web page, displaying the Web page, receiving aninput signal corresponding to a selection of at least one image includedin the displayed Web page, hiding or un-hiding the selected at least oneimage, and reconfiguring and displaying the reconfigured Web page suchthat an image region where the selected at least one image is located isreduced and other regions of the Web page are increased when theselected at least one image is hid.

Further scope of applicability of the present invention will becomeapparent from the detailed description given hereinafter. However, itshould be understood that the detailed description and specificexamples, while indicating preferred embodiments of the invention, aregiven by illustration only, since various changes and modificationswithin the spirit and scope of the invention will become apparent tothose skilled in the art from this detailed description.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The present invention will become more fully understood from thedetailed description given hereinbelow and the accompanying drawings,which are given by illustration only, and thus are not limitative of thepresent invention, and wherein:

FIG. 1 is a schematic block diagram of a mobile terminal according to anembodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a front perspective view of a mobile terminal according to anembodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 3 is a rear perspective view of a mobile terminal according to anembodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 4 is a block diagram of a wireless communication system with whichthe mobile terminal according to an embodiment of the present inventionis operable;

FIG. 5 is an overview showing an example of configuration of a DOM treein the mobile terminal according to an embodiment of the presentinvention;

FIG. 6 is a flow chart illustrating an image control method of themobile terminal according to an embodiment of the present invention;

FIGS. 7A to 7C are overviews of display screens of the mobile terminalperforming the embodiment shown in FIG. 6;

FIG. 8 is an overview of display screens illustrating the process ofreleasing an image hiding mode in the mobile terminal according toanother embodiment of the present invention;

FIGS. 9A and 9B are overviews of display screens illustrating a methodfor forcibly releasing a hide setting mode in the mobile terminalaccording to an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 10 is a flow chart illustrating an image control method accordingto a placed state or orientation of the mobile terminal according toanother embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 11 is an overview of display screens illustrating a method ofchanging of an image display mode according to a placed state ororientation of the mobile terminal according to the embodiment of FIG.10;

FIG. 12 is an overview of display screens illustrating the image displaymethod of the mobile terminal according to another embodiment of thepresent invention;

FIG. 13 is an overview of a display screen illustrating a method ofdisplaying of alternate text when the mobile terminal detects aproximity touch according to an embodiment of the present invention;

FIGS. 14A and 14B are overviews of display screens illustrating a methodof controlling of an image in the mobile terminal according to anotherembodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 15 is a flow chart illustrating an image control method of themobile terminal according to another embodiment of the presentinvention; and

FIGS. 16A and 16B are overviews of display screens illustrating a methodof controlling of an image in the mobile terminal according to theembodiment of FIG. 15.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Reference will now be made in detail to the preferred embodiments of thepresent invention, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanyingdrawings.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a mobile terminal 100 according to anembodiment of the present invention. As shown, the mobile terminal 100includes a wireless communication unit 110 having one or more componentswhich permits wireless communication between the mobile terminal 100 anda wireless communication system or network within which the mobileterminal is located.

For example, the wireless communication unit 110 includes a broadcastreceiving module 111 that receives a broadcast signal and/or broadcastassociated information from an external broadcast managing entity via abroadcast channel. The broadcast channel may include a satellite channeland a terrestrial channel.

In addition, the broadcast managing entity generally refers to a systemwhich transmits a broadcast signal and/or broadcast associatedinformation. Examples of broadcast associated information includeinformation associated with a broadcast channel, a broadcast program, abroadcast service provider, etc. For instance, broadcast associatedinformation may include an electronic program guide (EPG) of the digitalmultimedia broadcasting (DMB) system and electronic service guide (ESG)of the digital video broadcast-handheld (DVB-H) system.

In addition, the broadcast signal may be implemented as a TV broadcastsignal, a radio broadcast signal, and a data broadcast signal, amongothers. The broadcast signal may further include a broadcast signalcombined with a TV or radio broadcast signal.

The broadcast receiving module 111 is also configured to receivebroadcast signals transmitted from various types of broadcast systems.For example, such broadcasting systems include the digital multimediabroadcasting-terrestrial (DMB-T) system, the digital multimediabroadcasting-satellite (DMB-S) system, the digital videobroadcast-handheld (DVB-H) system, the data broadcasting system known asmedia forward link only (MediaFLO®) and the integrated services digitalbroadcast-terrestrial (ISDB-T) system among others. Receiving multicastsignals is also possible. Further, data received by the broadcastreceiving module 111 may be stored in a suitable device, such as amemory 160.

The wireless communication unit 110 also includes a mobile communicationmodule 112 that transmits/receives wireless signals to/from one or morenetwork entities (e.g., base station, Node-B). Such signals mayrepresent audio, video, multimedia, control signaling, and data, amongothers. Also included is a wireless Internet module 113 that supportsInternet access for the mobile terminal. The module 113 may beinternally or externally coupled to the terminal. The wirelesscommunication unit 110 also includes a short-range communication module114 that facilitates relatively short-range communications. Suitabletechnologies for implementing this module include radio frequencyidentification (RFID), infrared data association (IrDA), ultra-wideband(UWB), as well at the networking technologies commonly referred to asBluetooth and ZigBee, to name a few.

A position-location module 115 is also included in the wirelesscommunication unit 110 and identifies or otherwise obtains the locationof the mobile terminal 100. The position-location module 115 may beimplemented using global positioning system (GPS) components whichcooperate with associated satellites, network components, andcombinations thereof. In addition, as shown in FIG. 1, the mobileterminal 100 also includes an Audio/video (A/V) input unit 120 thatprovides audio or video signals to the mobile terminal 100. As shown,the A/V input unit 120 includes a camera 121 and a microphone 122. Thecamera 121 receives and processes image frames of still pictures orvideo.

Further, the microphone 122 receives an external audio signal while theportable device is in a particular mode, such as a phone call mode,recording mode and voice recognition mode. The received audio signal isthen processed and converted into digital data. Also, the portabledevice, and in particular, the A/V input unit 120, generally includesassorted noise removing algorithms to remove noise generated in thecourse of receiving the external audio signal. In addition, datagenerated by the A/V input unit 120 may be stored in the memory 160,utilized by an output unit 150, or transmitted via one or more modulesof the communication unit 110. If desired, two or more microphonesand/or cameras may be used.

The mobile terminal 100 also includes a user input unit 130 thatgenerates input data responsive to user manipulation of an associatedinput device or devices. Examples of such devices include a keypad, adome switch, a touchpad (e.g., static pressure/capacitance), a jog wheeland a jog switch. A specific example is one in which the user input unit130 is configured as a touchpad in cooperation with a touch screendisplay, which will be described in more detail below.

A sensing unit 140 is also included in the mobile terminal 100 andprovides status measurements of various aspects of the mobile terminal100. For instance, the sensing unit 140 may detect an open/close statusof the mobile terminal 100, relative positioning of components (e.g., adisplay and keypad) of the mobile terminal 100, a change of position ofthe mobile terminal 100 or a component of the mobile terminal 100, apresence or absence of user contact with the mobile terminal 100,orientation or acceleration/deceleration of the mobile terminal 100,etc.

As an example, when the mobile terminal 100 is a slide-type mobileterminal, the sensing unit 140 may sense whether a sliding portion ofthe mobile terminal 100 is open or closed. Other examples include thesensing unit 140 sensing the presence or absence of power provided by apower supply 190, the presence or absence of a coupling or otherconnection between an interface unit 170 and an external device, etc.

Further, the interface unit 170 is often implemented to couple themobile terminal 100 with external devices. Typical external devicesinclude wired/wireless headphones, external chargers, power supplies,storage devices configured to store data (e.g., audio, video, pictures,etc.), earphones, and microphones, among others. In addition, theinterface unit 170 may be configured using a wired/wireless data port, acard socket (e.g., for coupling to a memory card, a subscriber identitymodule (SIM) card, a user identity module (UIM) card, a removable useridentity module (RUIM) card, etc.), audio input/output ports and videoinput/output ports.

The output unit 150 generally includes various components which supportthe output requirements of the mobile terminal 100. The mobile terminal100 also includes a display module 151 (hereinafter referred to as thedisplay 151) that visually displays information associated with themobile terminal 100. For instance, if the mobile terminal 100 isoperating in a phone call mode, the display 151 will generally provide auser interface or graphical user interface which includes informationassociated with placing, conducting, and terminating a phone call. Asanother example, if the mobile terminal 100 is in a video call mode or aphotographing mode, the display 151 may additionally or alternativelydisplay images which are associated with these modes.

Further, the display 151 also preferably includes a touch screen workingin cooperation with an input device, such as a touchpad. Thisconfiguration permits the display 151 to function both as an outputdevice and an input device. In addition, the display 151 may beimplemented using display technologies including, for example, a liquidcrystal display (LCD), a thin film transistor-liquid crystal display(TFT-LCD), an organic light-emitting diode display (OLED), a flexibledisplay and a three-dimensional display.

The mobile terminal 100 may also include one or more of such displays.An example of a two-display embodiment is one in which one display isconfigured as an internal display (viewable when the terminal is in anopened position) and a second display configured as an external display(viewable in both the open and closed positions).

FIG. 1 further shows the output unit 150 having an audio output module152 which supports the audio output requirements of the mobile terminal100. The audio output module 152 is often implemented using one or morespeakers, buzzers, other audio producing devices, and combinationsthereof. Further, the audio output module 152 functions in various modesincluding a call-receiving mode, a call-placing mode, a recording mode,a voice recognition mode and a broadcast reception mode. Duringoperation, the audio output module 152 outputs audio relating to aparticular function (e.g., call received, message received, and errors).

In addition, the output unit 150 is further shown having an alarm 153,which is used to signal or otherwise identify the occurrence of aparticular event associated with the mobile terminal 100. Typical eventsinclude a call received, a message received and user input received. Anexample of such output includes the providing of tactile sensations(e.g., vibration) to a user. For instance, the alarm 153 may beconfigured to vibrate responsive to the mobile terminal 100 receiving acall or message.

As another example, a vibration is provided by the alarm 153 responsiveto receiving user input at the mobile terminal 100, thus providing atactile feedback mechanism. Further, the various outputs provided by thecomponents of the output unit 150 may be separately performed, or suchoutput may be performed using any combination of such components.

In addition, the memory 160 is generally used to store various types ofdata to support the processing, control, and storage requirements of themobile terminal 100. Examples of such data include program instructionsfor applications operating on the mobile terminal 100, call history,contact data, phonebook data, messages, pictures, video, etc.

Further, the memory 160 shown in FIG. 1 may be implemented using anytype or combination of suitable volatile and non-volatile memory orstorage devices including random access memory (RAM), static randomaccess memory (SRAM), electrically erasable programmable read-onlymemory (EEPROM), erasable programmable read-only memory (EPROM),programmable read-only memory (PROM), read-only memory (ROM), magneticmemory, flash memory, magnetic or optical disk, card-type memory, orother similar memory or data storage device.

The terminal 100 also includes a controller 180 that generally controlsthe overall operations of the mobile terminal 100. For instance, thecontroller 180 performs the control and processing associated with voicecalls, data communications, instant message communications, video calls,camera operations and recording operations. As shown in FIG. 1, thecontroller 180 also includes a multimedia module 181 for providingmultimedia playback functions. The multimedia module 181 may beconfigured as part of the controller 180, or may be implemented as aseparate component. In addition, a power supply 190 provides power usedby the various components for the portable device. The provided powermay be internal power, external power, or combinations thereof.

Next, FIG. 2 is a front side view of the mobile terminal 100 accordingto an embodiment of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 2, themobile terminal 100 includes a first body 200 configured to slideablycooperate with a second body 205. The user input unit 130 described inFIG. 1 may include a first input unit such as function keys 210, asecond input unit such as a keypad 215, and a third input unit such asside keys 245.

The function keys 210 are associated with the first body 200, and thekeypad 215 is associated with the second body 205. The keypad 215includes various keys (e.g., numbers, characters, and symbols) to enablea user to place a call, prepare a text or multimedia message, andotherwise operate the mobile terminal 100. In addition, the first body200 slides relative to the second body 205 between open and closedpositions. In a closed position, the first body 200 is positioned overthe second body 205 in such a manner that the keypad 215 issubstantially or completely obscured by the first body 200. In the openposition, user access to the keypad 215, as well as the display 151 andfunction keys 210, is possible. The function keys 210 are convenient toa user for entering commands such as start, stop and scroll commands.

Further, the mobile terminal 100 is operable in either a standby mode(e.g., able to receive a call or message, receive and respond to networkcontrol signaling), or an active call mode. Typically, the mobileterminal 100 functions in a standby mode when in the closed position,and an active mode when in the open position. However, the modeconfiguration may be changed as required or desired.

In addition, the first body 200 is formed from a first case 220 and asecond case 225, and the second body 205 is formed from a first case 230and a second case 235. The first and second cases are preferably formedfrom a suitably ridge material such as injection molded plastic, orformed using metallic material such as stainless steel (STS) andtitanium (Ti). If desired, one or more intermediate cases may beprovided between the first and second cases of one or both of the firstand second bodies 200 and 205. In addition, the first and second bodies200 and 205 are generally sized to receive electronic components used tosupport the operation of the mobile terminal 100.

Also, the first body 200 includes the camera 121 and the audio outputunit 152, which is configured as a speaker, positioned relative to thedisplay 151. The camera 121 may also be constructed in such a mannerthat it can be selectively positioned (e.g., rotated, swiveled, etc.)relative to the first body 200. Further, the function keys 210 arepositioned adjacent to a lower side of the display 151. As discussedabove, the display 151 can be implemented as an LCD or OLED. The display151 may also be configured as a touch screen having an underlyingtouchpad which generates signals responsive to user contact (e.g.,finger, stylus, etc.) with the touch screen.

Also, the second body 205 includes the microphone 122 positionedadjacent to the keypad 215, and side keys 245, which are one type of auser input unit, positioned along the side of the second body 205.Preferably, the side keys 245 are configured as hot keys, such that theside keys 245 are associated with a particular function of the mobileterminal 100. As shown, the interface unit 170 is positioned adjacent tothe side keys 245, and the power supply 190 in a form of a battery islocated on a lower portion of the second body 205.

FIG. 3 is a rear side view of the mobile terminal 100 shown in FIG. 2.As shown in FIG. 3, the second body 205 includes the camera 121, and anassociated flash 250 and mirror 255. The flash 250 operates inconjunction with the camera 121 of the second body 205, and the mirror255 is useful for assisting a user to position the camera 121 in aself-portrait mode. In addition, the camera 121 of the second body 205faces a direction which is opposite to a direction faced by the camera121 of the first body 200 shown in FIG. 2.

In addition, each of the cameras 121 of the first and second bodies 200and 205 may have the same or different capabilities. For example, in oneembodiment, the camera 121 of the first body 200 operates with arelatively lower resolution than the camera 121 of the second body 205.Such an arrangement works well during a video conference call, forexample, in which reverse link bandwidth capabilities may be limited.Further, the relatively higher resolution of the camera 121 of thesecond body 205 (FIG. 3) is useful for obtaining higher quality picturesfor later use.

The second body 205 also includes the audio output module 152 configuredas a speaker, and which is located on an upper side of the second body205. The audio output modules of the first and second bodies 200 and 205may also cooperate together to provide stereo output. Moreover, eitheror both of these audio output modules may be configured to operate as aspeakerphone.

The terminal 100 also includes a broadcast signal receiving antenna 260located at an upper end of the second body 205. The antenna 260functions in cooperation with the broadcast receiving module 111 (FIG.1). The antenna 260 may also be fixed or configured to retract into thesecond body 205. Further, the rear side of the first body 200 includes aslide module 265, which slideably couples with a corresponding slidemodule located on the front side of the second body 205.

In addition, the illustrated arrangement of the various components ofthe first and second bodies 200 and 205 may be modified as required ordesired. For example, some or all of the components of one body mayalternatively be implemented on the other body. Further, the locationand relative positioning of such components may be positioned atlocations which differ from those shown by the representative figures.

In addition, the mobile terminal 100 of FIGS. 1-3 may be configured tooperate within a communication system which transmits data via frames orpackets, including both wireless and wireline communication systems, andsatellite-based communication systems. Such communication systemsutilize different air interfaces and/or physical layers.

Examples of such air interfaces utilized by the communication systemsinclude, for example, frequency division multiple access (FDMA), timedivision multiple access (TDMA), code division multiple access (CDMA),and universal mobile telecommunications system (UMTS), the long termevolution (LTE) of the UMTS, and the global system for mobilecommunications (GSM). By way of a non-limiting example only, furtherdescription will relate to a CDMA communication system, but suchteachings apply equally to other system types.

Next, FIG. 4 illustrates a CDMA wireless communication system having aplurality of mobile terminals 100, a plurality of base stations 270, aplurality of base station controllers (BSCs) 275, and a mobile switchingcenter (MSC) 280. The MSC 280 is configured to interface with a publicswitch telephone network (PSTN) 290, and the MSC 280 is also configuredto interface with the BSCs 275. Further, the BSCs 275 are coupled to thebase stations 270 via backhaul lines. In addition, the backhaul linesmay be configured in accordance with any of several interfacesincluding, for example, E1/T1, ATM, IP, PPP, Frame Relay, HDSL, ADSL, orxDSL. Further, the system may include more than two BSCs 275.

Also, each base station 270 may include one or more sectors, each sectorhaving an omnidirectional antenna or an antenna pointed in a particulardirection radially away from the base station 270. Alternatively, eachsector may include two antennas for diversity reception. In addition,each base station 270 may be configured to support a plurality offrequency assignments, with each frequency assignment having aparticular spectrum (e.g., 1.25 MHz, 5 MHz).

The intersection of a sector and frequency assignment may be referred toas a CDMA channel. The base stations 270 may also be referred to as basestation transceiver subsystems (BTSs). In some instances, the term “basestation” may be used to refer collectively to a BSC 275, and one or morebase stations 270. The base stations 270 may also be denoted as “cellsites.” Alternatively, individual sectors of a given base station 270may be referred to as cell sites. Further, a terrestrial digitalmultimedia broadcasting (DMB) transmitter 295 is shown broadcasting tomobile terminals 100 operating within the system.

In addition, the broadcast receiving module 111 (FIG. 1) of the mobileterminal 100 is typically configured to receive broadcast signalstransmitted by the DMB transmitter 295. Similar arrangements may beimplemented for other types of broadcast and multicast signaling asdiscussed above. FIG. 4 further illustrates several global positioningsystem (GPS) satellites 300. Such satellites facilitate locating theposition of some or all of the mobile terminals 100. In FIG. 4, twosatellites are shown, but positioning information may be obtained withgreater or fewer satellites.

In addition, the position-location module 115 (FIG. 1) of the mobileterminal 100 is typically configured to cooperate with the satellites300 to obtain desired position information. However, other types ofposition detection technology, such as location technology that may beused in addition to or instead of GPS location technology, mayalternatively be implemented. Some or all of the GPS satellites 300 mayalternatively or additionally be configured to provide satellite DMBtransmissions.

Further, during operation of the wireless communication system, the basestations 270 receive sets of reverse-link signals from various mobileterminals 100. The mobile terminals 100 also engage in calls, messaging,and other communications. In addition, each reverse-link signal receivedby a given base station 270 is processed within that base station 270,and the resulting data is forwarded to an associated BSC 275. The BSC275 provides call resource allocation and mobility managementfunctionality including soft handoffs between the base stations 270.

Further, the BSCs 275 also route the received data to the MSC 280, whichprovides additional routing services for interfacing with the PSTN 290.Similarly, the PSTN interfaces with the MSC 280, and the MSC 280interfaces with the BSCs 275. The BSCs 275 also control the basestations 270 to transmit sets of forward-link signals to the mobileterminals 100.

A method for selectively controlling an image of a Web page in themobile terminal according to an embodiment of the present invention willnow be described in detail.

The mobile terminal 100 according to an embodiment of the presentinvention may be connected to the Internet via the wireless Internetmodule 113, and display Web information (e.g., a Web page) received viathe wireless Internet module 113 on the display unit 151. Further, themobile terminal 100 may search for the Web information (hypertext, Webpage) on the Internet by using a mobile browser. That is, the mobilebrowser is a Web browser for mobile terminals (portable devices) such aspersonal digital assistants (PDAs) and mobile phones, and that allowsthe mobile terminal to display Web contents. For example, the mobilebrowser may include a wireless application protocol (WAP) browser, ani-mode browser, a Blackberry browser, or the like.

In addition, the controller 180 may selectively set a display mode of animage or images included on the Web page. In more detail, a user canselect a particular image on the Web page, and the controller 180 sets aconcealment/display feature with respect to the selected image. Further,the image may include a photo image, a picture, a flash, video, or thelike. In addition, the image display mode may include a hide-all-imagemode, a hide-image mode, a view-in-sub LCD mode, amagnification/reduction mode, storing the image or the like.

The controller 180 can also re-configure a document object model (DOM)within the mobile browser according to selection of the image displaymode, and remove undesired information through a rendering process toreconfigure the Web page according to the user request. Also, when a Webpage (e.g., HTML document) is downloaded, the browser may internallyconfigure a DOM tree according to DOM standards. For example, FIG. 5 isan overview showing one example of configuration of a DOM tree in themobile terminal according to an embodiment of the present invention.

In addition, as shown in FIG. 5, according to the DOM standards, the DOMrefers to attribute information included in a corresponding datastructure such as an actual position and size information of each objectconstituting the Web page, and configures the structure in a tree form.Thus, the browser stores attribute information such as size and positioninformation of each object, an image display mode, or the like, forperforming the rendering process. When the Web page is re-accessed, thebrowser may maintain a previously set image display mode using theattribute information.

In addition, when a ‘hiding’ mode is set for a particular image of theWeb page, the controller 180 changes attribute information (e.g., asource, a size, position information, etc.) of the corresponding imagein the DOM tree, and performs DOM re-configuration and re-renderingbased on the changed attribute information. When the size of theparticular image on the Web page is changed, the controller 180 changesthe size of the corresponding image in the DOM tree and performs DOMreconfiguration and re-rendering based on the changed size of the image.

Also, when a region for displaying image information is reduced due to achange in the display mode with respect to one or more images of the Webpage, the controller 180 performs a Web page reconfiguration andre-rendering by changing the reduced image display region into a regionfor displaying text information. Accordingly, the controller 180 canadjust the amount of information displayed on the display screen bychanging the image display mode. In addition, the controller 180 detectsa placed state or orientation (portrait & landscape) of the terminal 100via the sensing unit 140, and can change a display mode of the imageaccording to the detected placed state of the terminal 100. Further, thesensing unit 140 may include an acceleration sensor, a tilt sensor, orthe like, to detect a rotation, tilting, or the like, of the terminal.

Further, the controller 180 can detect a proximity touch or a touch viathe sensing unit 140, and temporarily release the set hiding mode of theimage corresponding to the point where the proximity touch has beendetected. Also, when a touch to the image is detected, the controller180 can move to a Web page linked to the corresponding image. Also, thesensing unit 140 may include a proximity sensor that detects an approachof a pointing object used to designate a location such as the user'sfinger, stylus, light pen, or the like, and a touch sensor that detectsa contact of the pointing object.

Further, the proximity sensor may detect the distance between thepointing object and the sensor based on a capacitance changing accordingto the approach distance of the pointing object and output thecorresponding value or may output location information of the pointapproached by the pointing object. In this embodiment, the capacitanceproximity sensor is taken as an example, but various other types ofproximity sensors may be used.

In addition, the touch sensor outputs location information of thecorresponding point from which a touch of the pointing unit is detected,as a coordinate value. The touch sensor may be implemented as varioustypes of touch pads such as a resistive touch pad, a capacitive touchpad, or the like. Further, the touch pad may be implemented as a touchscreen form by having an inter-layered structure with the display unit151. Thus, the display unit 151 may be also used as an input device aswell as as a display device.

Thus, the mobile terminal 100 according to an embodiment of the presentinvention access the Internet via the mobile browser to search anddownload a particular Web page. Namely, the controller 180 of the mobileterminal 100 accesses the Internet via the wireless Internet module 113and downloads a desired Web page. Here, the Web page refers to an HTML(Hyper Text Markup Language) and an XML (Extensible MarkupLanguage)-based Web document.

Upon downloading the Web page, the controller 180 configures a DOM treewith respect to objects constituting the Web page. Here, the controller180 configures the DOM only with a data structure excluding attributeinformation such as an actual position, size, or the like, with respectto each object.

Next, FIG. 6 is a flow chart illustrating an image control method of themobile terminal according to an embodiment of the present invention. Asshown in FIG. 6, the controller 180 accesses the Internet via thewireless Internet module 113, searches a pre-set Web page (homepage),receives the corresponding Web page, and displays the Web page (S101).Further, the controller 180 searches the desired Web information via themobile browser, optimizes the searched Web page according to theenvironment of the display unit 151 of the mobile terminal 100, anddisplays the Web page on the display unit 151.

In addition, while the Web page is being displayed on the display unit151, the user can select one or more of the images included in the Webpage, and the sensing unit 140 transmits a sensing signal according tothe image selection to the controller 180 (S103). Upon receiving thesensing signal, the controller 180 displays a menu for adjusting thedisplay mode of the selected image (hereinafter referred to as an imagedisplay mode). In addition, the method for executing the menu forsetting the image display mode (setting menu) differs based on a keypad,a touch screen and a proximity touch.

For example, if the method is based on use of the keypad, and when theuser selects an OK button after moving a focus to a desired imageaccording to manipulation of a direction key, the controller 180executes the display mode setting menu. Alternatively, if the method isbased on the touch screen, and when the user touches particular imageamong the images of the Web page for a particular length of time (a longtouch), the controller 180 executes the display mode setting menu. Ifthe method is based on the proximity touch, and when the user's fingerapproaches an image for which the image display mode is desired to beadjusted, the controller 180 detects the approaching finger via thesensing unit 140 and executes the display mode setting menu.

Accordingly, when the user selects the image display mode via thesetting menu displayed on the display unit 151, the controller 180 setsthe image display mode according to the user input (S105). For example,if the user selects the option ‘select image hiding’ via the displaymode setting menu, the controller 180 sets the display mode of theselected image as the ‘hiding’ mode. Also, if the display mode of theparticular image is changed, the controller 180 reconfigures the DOM bychanging the source, size, the position information, or the like, of thecorresponding image in the DOM tree.

Subsequently, when the image display mode is set as the ‘hiding’ mode(Yes in S107), the controller 180 does not display the selected image(S109). That is, the controller 180 performs rendering based on there-configured DOM. At this time, the controller 180 may substitivelydisplay a position indicator (an icon, symbol, or the like) indicatingthe position where the image has been positioned, or may display thecorresponding region as a blank. In addition, the controller 180 adjuststhe image display region according to the size of the positionindicator. Namely, if the size of the position indicator is smaller thanthe selected image, the controller 180 may reduce the image displayregion according to the size of the position indicator, and may magnifythe region for displaying text information as much as the image displayregion has been reduced. Accordingly, the portion which has been hiddendue to the limited size of the screen can be displayed on the screen, somore information can be displayed on the limited screen of the display.

Meanwhile, if the image display mode has not been set as hiding (namely,the image mode is set as the “viewing” mode) (No in S107), thecontroller 180 displays the selected image (S119). For example, ifselect image viewing mode is set for the image for which hiding has beenset, the hidden image is displayed. Thereafter, when the Internetconnection is terminated (Yes in S111), the controller 180 stores thesetting information related to the image display mode in the memory 160(S113). In addition, the setting information may include a Web pageaddress (URL), image identification information, hidingsetting/releasing actions (viewing setting/releasing), or the like. Theimage identification information may include the image file name, a tagID (div tag, span tag, etc.), an image size, or the like.

After the Internet connection is stopped, and if a previously accessedWeb page is re-accessed, the controller 180 may discriminate ahiding-set image from images of the Web page using the imageidentification information as an identifier. Namely, when the previouslyaccessed Web page is re-accessed, the controller 180 adjusts the imagehiding/viewing of the Web page based on the previously stored settinginformation in the memory 160.

Therefore, according to an embodiment of the present invention, becausethe setting information is stored by discriminating each image using theimage identification information, and when a previous Web page isreturned after moving to a different Web page, the previous setting withrespect to the previous Web page can be maintained.

Next, FIGS. 7A to 7C are overviews of display screens of the mobileterminal performing the embodiment as shown in FIG. 6. As shown in FIG.7A, the controller 180 of the mobile terminal 100 connects to theInternet via the wireless Internet module 113, and displays a Web pagereceived via the wireless Internet module 113 on the display unit 151.Then, the user manipulates a direction key 131 to move the selectindicator 400 over an object (image, text, etc.) to be selected.Further, the select indicator 400 may be implemented in the form thatthe user can recognize the selection of the object such as an underline,a box, a color, magnification, or the like.

The user can then press an OK button after the object has beenidentified via the select indicator 400, and the controller 180 displaysa setting menu 402 for setting an image display mode. As shown in FIG.7A, the setting menu 402 includes the options to hide all images, tohide the selected image and to save the image (other options are alsopossible). When the user selects the ‘hide image’ option, the controller180 does not display the selected image. Further, as discussed above,the controller 180 may display a position indicator indicating theportion where selected image has been positioned. Further, the positionindicator may include an icon, a symbol, or the like. In addition, whenthe image display region is reduced according to setting of hiding ofthe image, the controller 180 reconfigures the Web page to magnify adisplay region to display text as much as the reduced image displayregion, to thereby display more information on the display of theterminal.

FIG. 7B also illustrates the controller 180 connecting to the Internetvia the wireless Internet module 113 and displaying the Web pagereceived via the wireless Internet module 113 on the screen of thedisplay unit 151. However, in FIG. 7B, the user touches a particularobject on the Web page rather than using a physical direction key as inFIG. 7A. In more detail, as shown in FIG. 7B, the sensing unit 140detects the user touching a particular object on the Web page beingdisplayed on the display unit 151, and generates a corresponding sensingsignal. The controller 180 thus detects that the touch input has beengenerated via the sensing signal received from the sensing unit 140.Also, when the user maintains the touch input for a certain time, thecontroller 180 displays the menu 402 for setting the image display mode.

Then, with the setting menu 402 displayed, the user can touch one of thedisplayed options (e.g., hide all images, hide the selected image, savethe selected image, etc.). The controller 180 then determines whichoption the user has selected, and if the ‘hide image’ option isselected, the controller 180 does not display the selected image.Further, if the user releases the touch input after the initial touchposition to activate the menu 402, the controller 180 does not performany operation. In addition, as discussed above with respect to FIG. 6,the controller 180 stores the set information in the memory 160 when theInternet connection is terminated.

As shown in FIG. 7C, when the user touches one of the images of thedisplayed Web page and performs a dragging operation to move the imageout of the boundary of the screen of the display unit 151, thecontroller 180 sets a display mode of the corresponding image as the‘hiding’ mode. Thus, the controller 180 does not display thecorresponding image on the Web page on the display unit 151. Further, asdiscussed above, the controller 180 substitutes the selected image witha position indicator, and reduces an image display region according tothe size of the position indicator. The controller 180 also refreshesthe Web page on the display unit 151. Accordingly, the mobile terminal100 can display more information which has not been previously displayedas large as the image display region was reduced.

In addition, the controller 180 can also stored the selected image sothat the user can later view the stored image. For example, if the Webpage includes an image of a celebrity, for example, that the userenjoys, the user can select the image of the celebrity and perform amenu operation, touch and drag operation, etc. to save the image totheir favorites photo album, for example. Thus, in the embodiment shownin FIG. 7C, for example, the controller 180 can remove the image fromthe Web page, refresh the Web page without displaying the selectedimage, and store the selected image automatically based on the touch anddrag operation performed by the user.

Next, FIG. 8 is an overview of display screens illustrating the processof releasing an image hiding mode in the mobile terminal according to anembodiment of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 8, the controller180 hides a particular image selected by the user and displays aposition indicator in place of the selected image such that theadditional information in the Web page can be increased in size. Then,if the user wants to redisplay the particular image (i.e., un-hide theimage), the user can touch the particular image for a predeterminedamount of time, for example. That is, the user can perform a long touchoperation.

When the user performs the long touch operation, the controller 180displays the menu 402 for setting an image display mode. The menu 402 inFIG. 8 is slightly different than the menu 402 in FIG. 7, because themenu 402 in FIG. 8 is directed to redisplaying or “un-hiding” images. Asshown in FIG. 8, when the user selects the ‘view image’ option, thecontroller 180 releases the ‘hiding’ mode and displays the image on thedisplay unit 151. The controller 180 then refreshes the correspondingWeb page.

In addition, in the embodiment in FIG. 8, the user has released thesetting of one particular image by touching the particular image.However, the controller 180 can also set or release the hiding functionwith respect to all images of the Web page. For example, the user canselect the ‘view all image’ options in the menu 402 to have thecontroller redisplay all of the hidden images. A similar concept appliesto the user hiding all images by selecting the ‘hide all images’ optionof the menu 402 shown in FIG. 7.

Next, FIGS. 9A and 9B are overviews of display screens illustrating amethod for forcibly releasing a hide setting mode in the mobile terminalaccording to an embodiment of the present invention. As shown in FIG.9A, when the user has set the image display mode with respect to aparticular image of a Web page as the hiding mode in the mobile terminal100, the controller 180 hides the particular image (or images). In theembodiment shown in FIG. 9A, the controller 180 uses a roll-up effect tohide the image. In more detail, the roll-up effect is similar to when ablind or shade over a window is rolled-up. Thus, in this example, whenthe user selects a particular image to be hidden, the controller 180rolls up the selected image and display a substitute icon correspondingto a rolled blind or shade, for example.

Then, as shown in FIG. 9A, to redisplay the hidden image, the user cantouch a lower end of the substituted image and drag or unroll theparticular image. The user can also use a proximity touch method,physical key method, etc. to unravel or unroll the particular image orimages. In addition, in one example, the controller 180 displays theunraveled or unrolled image as long as the user maintains touch on thescreen, for example, and when the user releases their finger, thecontroller 180 rolls back the particular image. In an alternativeexample, the controller 180 can maintain the image in the unrolled statewhen the user releases their finger. The different options can also bepreset on the terminal (e.g., whether to maintain the image or roll backthe image upon release of the touch input operation). The user can alsohide or roll up an image by touching and dragging the image in theupwards direction, for example.

FIG. 9B illustrates the case where the user is using the proximitytouching operation to release a particular setting mode for an image orimages. In more detail, the user places their finger above a particularimage and moves their finger in a direction to unravel the image. Thatis, the sensing unit 140 detects the proximity touch, and informs thecontroller 180. The controller 180 then checks a display mode of theimage corresponding to the position where the proximity touch has beendetected. If the hiding mode has been set for the corresponding image,the controller 10 forcibly releases the set hiding while the proximitytouch is maintained. Also, while the proximity touch is maintained, thecontroller 180 displays the corresponding image. In addition, FIGS. 9Aand 9B illustrate the hiding option set for the selected image beingforcibly released (temporarily released). However, the present inventionmay be implemented such that when an image searching is performed on theWeb page, the image display hiding mode set can be forcibly released.

Next, FIG. 10 is a flow chart illustrating an image control methodaccording to a placed state or orientation of the mobile terminalaccording to another embodiment of the present invention. In thisembodiment, the image display mode of a Web page is changed according toa placed state or orientation of the terminal.

As shown in FIG. 10, the controller 180 detects a movement of theterminal 100 via the sensing unit 140 (S201). In addition, as discussedabove, the sensing unit 140 may include an acceleration sensor, a tiltsensor, or the like. The controller 180 also checks a placed state ororientation (e.g., landscape or portrait orientation) of the terminal100 according to a sensing signal generated from the sensing unit 140(S203). If the placed state of the terminal is the portrait orientation(Yes in S205), the controller 180 sets the image display mode of the Webpage as the hiding mode, and configures and displays a text-based Webpage without displaying an image or images included in the Web page(S207). If the placed state of the terminal is the landscape orientation(No in S205), the controller 180 sets the image display mode as theimage display mode and displays an image or images included in the Webpage.

In addition, if the Web page includes a plurality of images, thecontroller 180 can hide all images when the terminal is in the portraitorientation, one large image, or a predetermined number of images. Thecontroller 180 can also hide one image each time the user switches theterminal from the landscape mode to the portrait mode. Thus, the usercould rotate the terminal once to hide one image, twice in a successivemanner to hide two images, etc.

Next, FIG. 11 is an overview of display screens illustrating a methodchanging an image display mode according to a placed state ororientation of the mobile terminal according to the embodiment of FIG.10. As shown in FIG. 11( a), if the placed state or orientation of themobile terminal 100 is in the landscape orientation, the controller 180sets an image display mode of a Web page received via the wirelessInternet module 113 as the ‘displaying (releasing hiding) mode’ anddisplays an image included in the Web page. Further, in on example, ifthe user has previously selected an image to be hid, the controller 180can continue to hide this image even in the landscape orientation.

As shown in FIG. 11( b), when the placed state of the terminal ischanged to the portrait orientation, the sensing unit 140 detects thisorientation and informs the controller 180. Thus, the controller 180checks the detected placed state of the terminal and sets the imagedisplay mode of the Web page as the hiding mode. Namely, as shown inFIG. 11( b), the controller 180 hides the image or images of the Webpage, reconfigures a text-based Web page, and displays the reconfiguredWeb page on the display unit 151.

FIG. 12 is an overview of display screens illustrating the image displaymethod of the mobile terminal according to another embodiment of thepresent invention. In this embodiment, when a hid image on the Web pageis touched (selected), the controller 180 checks an address of a Webpage linked to the touched image and moves to the Web page correspondingto the address. Further, the controller 180 sets the image display modeof the linked Web page as an ‘all image hiding’ mode according to thetouched image display mode. Namely, when moving to the linked page, thecontroller 180 controls images of the linked page according to a displaymode of the linked image.

Further, when moving to the linked page, only the corresponding image,namely, only the selected image, having the same image identificationinformation (e.g., an image file name) as that of the linked image, isset to be hid. The controller 180 can also display the text-based Webpage, if the user's finger approaches the position where the image hasexisted, and output a vibration for the user's information. Also, thestrength of the vibration may be adjusted to be stronger as the distancenarrows between the user's finger and the position where the image hasexisted.

Next, FIG. 13 is an overview of a display screen illustrating a methodof displaying of alternate text when the controller 180 detects aproximity touch according to an embodiment of the present invention. Asshown in FIG. 13, when the user moves their finger toward an image thatis currently being hid, the controller 180 detects this event via thesensing unit 140. The controller 180 then display an alternate text 405corresponding to the image hid (in this example, the alternate textreads “Electric fan 5,800”). Thus, the user can quickly see that the hidimage is related to an electric fan.

Further, the controller 180 can display the text 405 in the form of aspeech bubble, for example, as long as the user maintains the proximitytouch. In addition, the alternate text may include information relatedto the image such as an explanation or a subject of the image, an imagefile name, or the like. Further, in this embodiment, the alternate text(explanation, subject, image file name, or the like) of the selectedimage is displayed. However, it is also possible to output a vibrationor other haptic effect according to a type (e.g., a photo image, flash,video, or the like) of the selected image. For example, if the selectedimage is a photo image, the controller 180 can not output a vibration,and if the selected image is a flash, the controller 180 can output thevibration. It is also possible to display the selected image in a pop-upmanner.

FIGS. 14A and 14B are overviews of display screens illustrating a methodof controlling an image in the mobile terminal according to anotherembodiment of the present invention. In this embodiment, a mobileterminal having a dual display is taken as an example. As shown, whenthe user selects one image on a Web page displayed on the main display151, the controller 180 displays a menu 402 for controlling a displaymode of the image. As shown in FIG. 14A, when the user selects theoption ‘view in sub LCD’ from the displayed menu 402, the controller 180displays the selected image on the sub-display 154.

In addition, as shown in FIG. 14B, when the user selects the option‘view all images in sub LCD’ from the displayed menu 402, the controller180 sequentially displays all of the images included in thecorresponding Web page on the sub-display 154. In this instance, thecontroller 180 may sequentially display the images based on imagepositions or frequency according to a user manipulation. Further,because the images included in the Web page are displayed via thesub-display, the user can additionally check desired information byusing the sub-display without interfering with the information displayedon the main display.

Next, FIG. 15 is a flow chart illustrating an image control method ofthe mobile terminal according to another embodiment of the presentinvention. In this embodiment, a Web page is configured according to achange in an image size displayed on the mobile terminal. First, thecontroller 180 downloads a Web page via the wireless Internet module 113and displays the Web page on the screen of the display module 151(S301). In other words, the mobile terminal 100 is in a state of beingconnected to the Internet via the wireless Internet module 113.

When the size of a particular image displayed on the Web page ischanged, the controller 180 changes attribute information of thecorresponding image (S303 and S305). Namely, when the size of the imageis changed, the controller 180 changes the size of the correspondingimage in the DOM tree to re-configure the DOM. After the reconfigurationof the DOM, the controller 180 performs rendering based on thereconfigured DOM (S307). In other words, the controller 180 adjusts theconfiguration of the Web page according to the change in the image size.

FIGS. 16A and 16B are overviews of display screens illustrating a methodof controlling of an image in the mobile terminal according to theembodiment of FIG. 15. With reference to FIGS. 16A and 16B, the userselects one image displayed on a Web page and drags a boundary of theselected image. Thus, the size of the corresponding image is adjustedaccording to the dragging distance (d). As shown in FIG. 16A, when theuser performs the dragging operation inwardly based on the boundary ofthe image, the controller 180 reduces the size of the selected image bythe distance (d) and moves objects near the boundary. Namely, when theboundary of the image is moved in an inward direction of the image, theobjects positioned outside the moved boundary are moved in the samemovement direction as much as the boundary has been moved.

With reference to FIG. 16B, if the user performs the dragging operationoutwardly based on the boundary of the image, the controller 180magnifies the size of the corresponding image by the drag distance (d).The controller 180 also moves the adjacent objects in the same directionas the drag direction as large as the corresponding image has beenmagnified. In other words, the objects positioned in the direction inwhich the boundary has been moved based on the boundary of the imagebefore the size of the image is changed are moved by the movementdistance of the boundary.

Further, when the magnification/reduction magnification of the imagereaches a limit, the controller 180 may generate a vibration, an alarmsound, or the like, to inform the user. For example, if the size of themagnified image exceeds the size of a previously allocated image displayregion, the controller 180 may output a vibration, an alarm sound, orthe like.

Also, a selected image is magnified/reduced through a dragging operationis taken as an example, but the size of the image may bemagnified/reduced according to manipulation of the menu or the size ofall the images of the Web page may be adjusted at one time. Further,hiding of images of the Web page are selectively set or released, butthe hiding of images may be may be set or released collectivelyaccording to category information of the images. For example, only animage related to an advertisement or shopping may be set for hiding.

Further, the mobile terminal according to the embodiments of the presentinvention is not limited in its application of the configurations andmethods, but the entirety or a portion of the embodiments can beselectively combined to be configured into various modifications.

In addition, the above various embodiments may be implemented in acomputer-readable medium using, for example, computer software,hardware, or some combination thereof. For a hardware implementation,the embodiments described above may be implemented within one or moreapplication specific integrated circuits (Asics), digital signalprocessors (Dips), digital signal processing devices (Spuds),programmable logic devices (PLDs), field programmable gate arrays(FPGAs), processors, controllers, micro-controllers, microprocessors,other electronic units designed to perform the functions describedherein, or a selective combination thereof.

For a software implementation, the embodiments described herein may beimplemented with separate software modules, such as procedures andfunctions, each of which perform one or more of the functions andoperations described herein. The software codes can be implemented witha software application written in any suitable programming language andmay be stored in memory (for example, the memory 160), and executed by acontroller or processor (for example, the controller 180).

In addition, the mobile terminal 100 may be implemented in a variety ofdifferent configurations. Examples of such configurations include afolder-type, slide-type, bar-type, rotational-type, swing-type andcombinations thereof. A mobile terminal includes mobile phones, smartphones, notebook computers, digital broadcast receivers, PDAs (PersonalDigital Assistants), PMPs (Portable Multimedia Players), navigationdevices, etc.

As the exemplary embodiments may be implemented in several forms withoutdeparting from the characteristics thereof, it should also be understoodthat the above-described embodiments are not limited by any of thedetails of the foregoing description, unless otherwise specified, butrather should be construed broadly within its scope as defined in theappended claims. Therefore, various changes and modifications that fallwithin the scope of the claims, or equivalents of such scope aretherefore intended to be embraced by the appended claims.

1. A mobile terminal, comprising: a wireless communication unitconfigured to connect to the Internet to receive a Web page; a displayunit configured to display the Web page; and a controller configured toreceive an input signal corresponding to a selection of at least oneimage included in the displayed Web page, to hide or un-hide theselected at least one image, and to reconfigure and display thereconfigured Web page such that an image region where the selected atleast one image is located is reduced and other regions of the Web pageare increased when the selected at least one image is hid.
 2. The mobileterminal of claim 1, wherein the input signal corresponds to at leastone of a touching input signal corresponding to a user touching theselected at least one image, a proximity touching signal correspondingto the user moving a pointer object in proximity to the selected atleast one image, and a key input corresponding to the user manipulatinga key on the mobile terminal.
 3. The mobile terminal of claim 1, whereinthe controller is further configured to save the selected at least oneimage based on the received input signal.
 4. The mobile terminal ofclaim 1, wherein the selected at least one image includes a plurality ofimages displayed on the Web page, and the controller is furtherconfigured to hide or un-hide the plurality of images displayed on theWeb page such that image regions where the plurality of images arelocated are reduced and other regions of the Web page are increased. 5.The mobile terminal of claim 1, wherein the controller is furtherconfigured to control the display unit to display a substitute indicatorin place of the hid at least one image.
 6. The mobile terminal of claim5, wherein the controller is further configured to un-hide the selectedat least one image when the substitute indicator is selected.
 7. Themobile terminal of claim 1, wherein the other regions of thereconfigured Web page correspond to text regions such that the textregions are increased in size on the Web page.
 8. The mobile terminal ofclaim 1, further comprising: a sensing unit configured to sensed anorientation of the mobile terminal, wherein the controller is furtherconfigured to hide or un-hide the selected at least one image based onthe sensed orientation of the mobile terminal.
 9. The mobile terminal ofclaim 1, wherein the controller is further configured to hide theselected at least one image when the sensing unit senses the orientationof the mobile terminal is in a portrait orientation, and to un-hide theselected at least one image when the sensing unit senses the orientationof the mobile terminal is in a landscape orientation.
 10. The mobileterminal of claim 1, wherein when the controller is further configuredto display the hid at least one image on a sub-display unit of theterminal when hiding the at least one image on the display unit.
 11. Amethod of controlling a mobile terminal, the method comprising:connecting to the Internet and receiving a Web page; displaying the Webpage; receiving an input signal corresponding to a selection of at leastone image included in the displayed Web page; hiding or un-hiding theselected at least one image; and reconfiguring and displaying thereconfigured Web page such that an image region where the selected atleast one image is located is reduced and other regions of the Web pageare increased when the selected at least one image is hid.
 12. Themethod of claim 11, wherein the input signal corresponds to at least oneof a touching input signal corresponding to a user touching the selectedat least one image, a proximity touching signal corresponding to theuser moving a pointer object in proximity to the selected at least oneimage, and a key input corresponding to the user manipulating a key onthe mobile terminal.
 13. The method of claim 11, further comprising:saving the selected at least one image based on the received inputsignal.
 14. The method of claim 11, wherein the selected at least oneimage includes a plurality of images displayed on the Web page, and thehiding or un-hiding step hides or un-hides the plurality of imagesdisplayed on the Web page such that image regions where the plurality ofimages are located are reduced and other regions of the Web page areincreased.
 15. The method of claim 11, further comprising: displaying asubstitute indicator in place of the hid at least one image.
 16. Themethod of claim 15, wherein the hiding and un-hiding step un-hides theselected at least one image when the substitute indicator is selected.17. The method of claim 11, wherein the other regions of thereconfigured Web page correspond to text regions such that the textregions are increased in size on the Web page.
 18. The method of claim11, further comprising: sensing an orientation of the mobile terminal,wherein the hiding and un-hiding step hides or un-hides the selected atleast one image based on the sensed orientation of the mobile terminal.19. The method of claim 11, wherein the hiding and un-hiding step hidesthe selected at least one image when the sensing step senses theorientation of the mobile terminal is in a portrait orientation, andun-hides the selected at least one image when the sensing step sensesthe orientation of the mobile terminal is in a landscape orientation.20. The method of claim 11, further comprising: displaying the hid atleast one image on a sub-display unit of the terminal when hiding the atleast one image on the display unit.